Delilah didn’t know what to say. Obviously, from the look on his face, he figured out who Annie was. She looked a lot like his family. She looked a lot like him.

Rose came to the door a moment later. “Everything okay?” She looked to Christian, then back to Delilah.

“Why don’t you take everyone to get ice cream? And take your time.” She handed her a twenty.

Rose looked at Christian again, then nodded. “Sure. Just… text me.”

“I will. Thanks.”

She showed Christian into the living room and tied Annie’s shoes. When they all left and the house was empty, Delilah stood in front of Christian. She felt terrible. After their encounter the day before, she hadn’t slept well thinking over everything. All the emotions she’d felt before when he left came to the surface. She didn’t know if she was happy he was there or sad or mad or just confused. But he was here and now he knew.

“So, that’s Annie,” she said.

“She’s mine?” The question was like a gasp.

“Do you want something to drink? Water or something stronger?”

“What I’d really like, Delilah, is the truth.”

She let out a slow breath. “I owe you that. I know.” She sat in the chair beside the sofa and sat sideways to face him. “I didn’t know I was pregnant until after that day in the hospital. I knew when I saw you on campus, but you were so different. I wanted to tell you. Sophie—remember her—she thought if I told you then you’d want to get back together and marry me and the whole deal. But she didn’t know the truth. I never did tell anyone. You should know that.”

One eye narrowed slightly as he listened. He looked shocked, and she didn’t blame him.

“The thing is,” she continued, “you kept saying how dangerous it was, how you were born into that life and couldn’t escape it. It was the reason you ended things with me. It got your father and your mother killed. I thought that would mean Annie was born into, too. I didn’t want her to grow up in that lifestyle, and I didn’t want her—or me—to be stuck in that life. I didn’t want her to grow up in danger and be afraid and have no choice. I saw how it bothered you. I didn’t want that for her.”

His eye twitched a little, and she wasn’t sure what it meant. Why didn’t he say anything?

She kept talking. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. It if wasn’t for all the mob stuff, I would have. I think you know me well enough to know I wouldn’t just hide her from you for no reason. I wanted to protect her just like you left me to protect me.”

She stared at him. He stared back, breathing hard.

“Say something, Christian. Scream. Tell me I’m a horrible person. Please. Just say something.”

He took another few minutes. She waited in horrible anticipation. What if he was really angry? The fear crept in. He might retaliate. She might not be safe here alone with him. Her heart raced and she thought she might throw up.

“I am mad,” he said finally. But he said it calmly. “But I understand.”

She waited for more. “Is that all you’re going to say?”

“I want to meet her.”

She blew out a breath. “I know. She’s been asking about her father. I’m just not sure if it’s a good idea. I mean, nothing has changed. Your life is still dangerous. Will she be safe?”

“Do you think I won’t be able to protect my own child?” Now some of the anger slipped out.

“I don’t know, Christian. I don’t know that much about it except you kept telling me how dangerous it was. Is it dangerous or not?”

He swallowed hard and took in a long breath. “It’s dangerous for me. I will protect her with my own life. Just like I did to protect you.”

She pulled her eyebrows together. “What do you mean?”

“I gave up everything to protect you. My father knew about you. He told me to end things and I didn’t. When everything went down and he was killed, I knew it was a matter of time. They would have come after you. That’s why I killed Mark. He kept asking about you. I didn’t like the way he looked at you. I had to make sure he wouldn’t hurt you. I joined the mob to save my mother and keep you safe. When she was gone, I couldn’t go back to you because it wasn’t safe yet. And then it was too late. I’d ended things and when I saw you that day… I knew it was the best thing for me to stay out of your life so you could find a decent man to make you happy. I gave up everything I wanted to keep you safe.”

Her mouth hung open in shock. “But…”

“I would do it all over again if I had to. It’s been a miserable life but look at what came of it.”

She shook her head and couldn’t stop her tears. “But all I wanted was you. It’s been so hard. I wanted to call you a hundred times. When it was the middle of the night and she was crying. When she was sick and I had to work, when she asked about her dad. I was so heartbroken when you left. I’ve never even dated anyone seriously. I couldn’t. I… loved you too much and it broke that part of me.”

He closed his eyes and hung his head. “I’ve ruined all of our lives. Mine, yours, and now this innocent child that I didn’t even know existed. What kind of life is it to grow up without a father?”

“I never wanted it to be that way. I’m scared, Christian. I don’t want to keep her from you. I never meant to hurt either of you like that. But the mob thing scares me. A lot. I don’t want her dragged into that.”

“She won’t be.” He looked at her again, intensely. “I will never let anything happen to her or you. I will do anything to make this right.”

She nodded and chewed her lip. “Then, I can’t wait for you to meet our daughter.”